Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase is not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

BackgroundThis study investigated the association between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) level and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 1024 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Measurement of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV; as a marker of arterial stiffness) and an ultrasound assessment of carotid atherosclerosis were performed. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined by the presence of a high baPWV (≥1720 cm/s), carotid atherosclerosis (intima-media thickness >0.8 mm or the presence of plaques), and carotid stenosis (≥50 % of luminal narrowing). The subjects were stratified into quartiles according to GGT level, and the relationship between GGT level and subclinical atherosclerosis was analysed.ResultsSerum GGT levels were closely associated with obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. However, serum GGT levels did not show a linear association with baPWV, carotid intima-media thickness, or plaque grade. The prevalence of high baPWV, carotid atherosclerosis, and carotid stenosis did not differ between the quartiles in men and women. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed no association between GGT level and high baPWV, carotid atherosclerosis, and carotid stenosis, either as continuous variables or quartiles.ConclusionsSerum GGT levels were significantly associated with obesity, atherogenic dyslipidaemia, and metabolic syndrome, but not with the early and late stages of atherosclerotic vascular changes, in patients with type 2 diabetes. Serum GGT level may not be a reliable marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.

The Liability Threshold Model for Predicting the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Multi-Cohort Study of Korean Adults

“…In this study, serum lipid or GGT levels were lower in the DCVD patient group than in the control group. Previous studies have reported that elevated GGT and CRP levels increased the risks of dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and CVD, yet their prognostic values of CVD events in T2D patients remain controversial [ 15 , 16 ]. As reported in a general population-based cohort study, increased CVD risk due to low education and wealth levels has also been observed in Korean T2D patients [ 17 ].…”

“…As the number of SNPs included in the model increased, the mean difference (MD) in liability to DCVD between cases and controls increased (MDs: 0.006, 0.044, and 0.216 for GLT 15 , GLT 47 , and GLT 231 , respectively). For every 1-point increase in normalized genetic liability on a scale of 0 to 10, the risk of developing DCVD also increased accordingly (ORs: 1.05, 1.54, and 14.13 for GLT 15 , GLT 47 , and GLT 231 , respectively) (Table 4).…”

Elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transferase level as a predictor of mortality in patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis

“…In recent years, accumulated evidences have demonstrated that serum elevated GGT level is associated with cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, cancer, chronic kidney disease, fractures, cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality [9,[19][20][21][22][23][24]. GGT as a key transferase enzyme plays a vital role in the resynthesis of glutathione (GSH), which is an important intracellular antioxidant protecting cells against oxidative damage [22,25]. GGT levels may elevate in order to produce more GSH in response to oxidative stress [26].…”

Correlations of GGT, Hcy and ABI with carotid atherosclerosis in essential hypertension patients

“…γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), as a kind of membranebinding enzyme, is critical to the regeneration of intracellular glutathione, a major cellular antioxidant (3,4). Serum GGT is a well-known marker of liver diseases and alcohol abuse (5).…”